5 year old Palesa had never seen a flushing toilet. That changed recently when Save the Children South Africa in partnership with GS Fencing opened newly built ablution facilities at the Sizolomphakathi community centre, in Mpumalanga.

The ablution facilities which caters for young and differently abled children was installed to replace the long drop toilets used by children as young as 3 years old.

“This is bigger than ablution facilities it’s about the safety and dignity of the children who attend this centre,” said Gugu Ndebele, Save the Children South Africa CEO.

Sponsor, Lourens Campher, said that he decided to get involved because he has a passion for children and seeing Africa thrive. “There is a lot of poverty here, but there is also so much love in the children’s hearts. I wanted to get involved to make a difference in their lives and I will continue to support Save the Children to ensure the children in this community are given a better future”.

As Josephine Motaung, Save the Children South Africa's Project Coordinator, takes Palesa and her friend into the new building, the children look around puzzled, until Josephine pushes down on the toilet handle. The children’s eyes light up and they both gasped. 

“It seems like a small thing but for the children of this community, flushing toilets is not something they are exposed to,” explained Sam Magagula, Sizolomphakathi Centre manager. 

Sam added that the partnership with GS Fencing was vital to the upkeep of the centre which provides much needed services to a farming community that has further sunk into poverty due to the recent draught.

“It is because of partners like Lourens that we are able to provide quality services to children even in difficult times,” said Sam. 

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